Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Sunday boosted that the All Progressives
Congress would triumph over the ruling Peoples Democratic Party
in the 2015 general elections, especially if the conduct of the polls would be
free and fair.
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Sunday boosted that the All Progressives
Congress would triumph over the ruling Peoples Democratic Party
in the 2015 general elections, especially if the conduct of the polls would be
free and fair.
He spoke in Zaria, Kaduna State at an event
organised by the Movement for Better Future.
organised by the Movement for Better Future.
El-Rufai, who is the APC Deputy National
Secretary, also noted that the PDP had failed the nation with its unfulfilled
promises.
Secretary, also noted that the PDP had failed the nation with its unfulfilled
promises.
He described President Goodluck Jonathan’s
administration as one that could not tackle the security challenges in the
country.
administration as one that could not tackle the security challenges in the
country.
El-Rufai, who added that the proposed six-year
single term by the National Assembly was not feasible, noted that the country’s
problems were beyond the proposed single term and the amendment of the
constitution.
single term by the National Assembly was not feasible, noted that the country’s
problems were beyond the proposed single term and the amendment of the
constitution.
According to him, the country’s problems revolve
around the operators.
around the operators.
He said, “I do not think 2015 is around the
corner, it is two years from now. However, the APC is capable of kicking the
PDP out of power. The PDP has ruled the country, and it has failed to live up
to its promises. The PDP government has not provided us with basic outlets of
security and prosperity.
corner, it is two years from now. However, the APC is capable of kicking the
PDP out of power. The PDP has ruled the country, and it has failed to live up
to its promises. The PDP government has not provided us with basic outlets of
security and prosperity.
“We believe that in a fair and free election, APC
is going to defeat the PDP. All we are doing now is to come together, so that
we can organise ourselves in order to put in place a system to protect our
votes. We are taking this measure knowing that PDP does not win elections.
is going to defeat the PDP. All we are doing now is to come together, so that
we can organise ourselves in order to put in place a system to protect our
votes. We are taking this measure knowing that PDP does not win elections.
“Members of the party know how to write results
that they want, and we have to think of a way to protect our votes. That is
what we are working on.”
that they want, and we have to think of a way to protect our votes. That is
what we are working on.”
He added, “I think the impact of APC can be
gauged from the performance of the states that are already being controlled by
the parties that constitute APC.
gauged from the performance of the states that are already being controlled by
the parties that constitute APC.
“You cannot compare the performances of governors
Rauf Aregbesola and Babatunde Fashola, for instance, with some of those PDP
governors that only know how to get allocations and share. So we can be
confident that Nigerians can see the difference between a performing government
and one not doing anything.”
Rauf Aregbesola and Babatunde Fashola, for instance, with some of those PDP
governors that only know how to get allocations and share. So we can be
confident that Nigerians can see the difference between a performing government
and one not doing anything.”
On the single six-year term for the president and
governors, the former minister said, “I do not think six-year single term is feasible
in this country. I do not think there is a difference between the six-year
single term and the two terms of four years each. I do not think that is the
issue. The constitution that we are operating is from the United State, and its
operators have not bothered to change their constitution to a single term for
their president.
governors, the former minister said, “I do not think six-year single term is feasible
in this country. I do not think there is a difference between the six-year
single term and the two terms of four years each. I do not think that is the
issue. The constitution that we are operating is from the United State, and its
operators have not bothered to change their constitution to a single term for
their president.
“I do not know why we are changing our own. The
problem of Nigeria is not the single term, it is not the constitution. It is
the quality of people in public office.
problem of Nigeria is not the single term, it is not the constitution. It is
the quality of people in public office.
“When you are not prepared for a job, you start
preparing what to do when you get to the office. But if you are really
prepared, the four-year period is enough for you to show that you can perform.”
preparing what to do when you get to the office. But if you are really
prepared, the four-year period is enough for you to show that you can perform.”
Source: Punch
